This document outlines the key objectives and content of a 2 hour laboratory session on starting intravenous therapy. The session will teach students how to: state the purposes of IV therapy; prepare supplies and equipment; calculate IV drip rates; identify common adult venipuncture sites; document IV fluids; recognize IV complications; and take appropriate action for complications. The document also provides details on IV purposes, venipuncture considerations, common complications, and initiating practice of the IV skills.

1. IV therapy

2. Lab Session 2: Starting Intravenous Therapy (2 Hours)
*(At the end of the laboratory session, the students will be able to:
• State the purposes of intravenous fluid therapy.
• Prepare the necessary supplies and equipments.
• Calculate the correct rate of specific order for intravenous therapy.
• Recognize the common sites to perform veni-puncture for infusion
on adult patients.
• Document the name of intravenous fluids on medication sheet and
intake/output chart.
• Recognize the complications of intravenous fluids therapy.
• Select the appropriate action when complications occur during or
after intravenous infusion.
• Initiate to practice confidently in performing the skill of
administering intravenous therapy for adult patients.

3. What is the purposes of intravenous
fluid therapy?
1. To provide water, electrolytes and nutrients
to meet daily requirements
2. To replace water and correct electrolytes
deficits
3. To administer medications and blood
products.
They will be dextrose or electrolytes mixed with
water as electrolytes alone will enter the cell
as cause cell rupture.

4. Calculate the correct rate of specific
order for intravenous therapy.

5. Recognize the common sites to perform
veni-puncture for infusion on adult
patients.
• Peripheral location as in extremities are only sites
used by nurse.
• They are safe and easy to enter that arm vein are
commonly used.
• Metacarpal , cephalic , basilic, and median veins
and their branches are recommended sites
because of their size and ease of access
• Leg vein are rarely if ever to be used as risk for
thrombo-embolism.

6. • Areas distal to previous IV infiltration or
phelebitic areas , arm with fistula, arm with
edema or infection or skin breakdown .
• Central line is for physicians e.g: subclavian
and internal jugular veins.
• Use large vessels if patient is collapsed to give
hyper-osmolar fluids.
• Chose site not in the joints.

7. What to consider ?
1. Condition of vein
2. Type of fluid or medication (thick as blood)
3. Duration of therapy
4. Patient age and size
5. Whether the patient right or left handed
6. Patient medical history
7. Skill of patient performing the vein puncture.

8. Document the name of intravenous fluids on
medication sheet and intake/output chart.

9. Recognize the complications of
intravenous fluids therapy.
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• Systematic and local

10. Select the appropriate action when
complications occur during or after intravenous
infusion.

11. Initiate to practice confidently in
performing the skill of administering
intravenous therapy for adult patients.
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